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Topic: [CHI] Donnie Yen (Read 51258 times)

Donnie Yen Chi-Tan (Chinese: 甄子丹; pinyin: Zhēn Zǐdān; born July 27, 1963) is a martial artist and actor, film director, fight choreographer, and producer. He is a well known film and television actor in Hong Kong and, more recently, in the West, having been featured in many movies with prominent, internationally known actors such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

I have been a fan of Donnie ever since I saw Iron Monkey and Wing Chun a few years ago. Donnie Yen has got to be one of the most underrated martial arts actors in the game and I never understood why he didn't blow up in the west like Jackie Chan & Jet Li. Dude's as skilled as Jet Li and he can speak English perfectly unlike Jackie & Jet. Donnie is also one of the most talented fight choreographers. He was kinda MIA for a while but lately he has been on fire. His recent movies SPL, Dragon Tiger Gate & Flash Point are all mad entertaining and especially SPL contains some of the most hardcore Donnie fight scenes ever.

Photos from the set of director Daniel Lee's upcoming period martial arts actioner 14 BLADES, depicting leading wushu star Donnie Yen, have begun appearing in Chinese media. Images show a serious-looking Yen, both clothed and shirtless while sporting a goatee, fake tats and beefed up abs. 14 BLADES puts Yen into the role of Green Dragon, a Ming Dynasty-era Imperial guard, the best of a specially trained force of sword-slinging agents who take orders directly from the Emperor. When an evil Eunuch takes over the Imperial court, Yen's associates turn against him while they're on a secret mission. Green Dragon becomes public enemy number one and must battle his former comrades while rallying those still loyal to the Emperor.

SHAOLIN SOCCER AND PAINTED SKIN star Vicki Zhao plays Qiao Hua, the daughter of an armed escort service chief. She becomes romantically involved with Green Dragon. Other cast members include Wu Chun, Qi Yuwu, Kate Tsui and Law Kar-ying. The film is expected to contain heavy doses of stylized fight sequences populated by a large number of veteran martial arts stars, all overseen by action director Ku Huan-chiu who has worked closely with wire-fu master Yuen Woo-ping for the past 20 years. Veteran genre actors to make appearances include Chen Kuan-tai (THE FLYING GUILLOTINE), Wu Ma (THE DEAD AD THE DEADLY), Sammo Hung (MARTIAL LAW), Xu Xiang-dong (WING CHUN), Chen Zhi-hua (IP MAN), and Damian Lau (DUEL TO THE DEATH).

Chen Kuan-tai, one of Shaw Brothers' top kung fu stars of the 1970s, will play a nemesis to Donnie Yen's character. It's a fitting choice as not only is Chen a real kung fu expert who has stayed in shape, he starred in Shaw Brothers' two FLYING GUILLOTINE films which are very similar in plot to 14 BLADES. Mainlander Xu Xiang-dong is another highly skilled, albeit less famous martial arts-trained actor who previously appeared in Yuen Woo-ping's wire-fu comedy WING CHUN, starring Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen. He also recently crossed fists with Yuen Biao in the excellent kung fu TV series WING CHUN (2007) where he showed that he is still in top form.

Yen has suggested that 14 BLADES has some of the most plentiful and challenging fight sequences from among his recent films. A likely reason for the injury and the challenge might be Ku Huan-chiu, who as action director is reportedly pushing the film's fighting stars. Midway through the 14 BLADES shoot, Donnie Yen reportedly suffered a leg injury, apparently related to a previous injury. Despite the setback, he returned to finish his scenes. On a personal note, Donnie Yen's grandmother passed away on July 14 in Boston. Amazingly, she was over 100 years old. Yen, who was in China on the set of 14 BLADES, was unable to fly back to the U.S. to attend the funeral service.

After 26 years of screen fighting, Donnie Yen, 46, is finally being recognized as the world’s number one Chinese action star, inheriting the mantle previously carried by Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. Bolstered by award-winning, blockbuster hits IP MAN and PAINTED SKIN in 2008 and with upcoming films 14 BLADES, BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS and IP MAN 2 gaining momentum, the Boston native has become the hottest fighting star in Asia with offers pouring in from producers. Despite this enviable position, Yen admits that his time as an action star is running out in a new interview with the New York Times.

With age, it’s taking Yen longer to recuperate from shooting action scenes and although not mentioned in the NYT article, the action star has been troubled of late by injuries.

“I’ve actually given myself a retiring deadline for acting of 50,” said Yen. “I want to push myself to the limit, but I don’t want to be hanging around.”

Before anyone thinks Yen is quitting the movie biz in four years, he offers assurance that he plans to keep working in some capacity.

“I know I can still have some influence in the action directing department and raise the bar,” he said. “I still have a lot of ideas.”

To speculate, Yen will transition towards action choreography and possibly more dramatic roles, although it’s less likely. I have a feeling he’s not going to pretend he can turn himself into another Anthony Wong or Simon Yam. In the interview, Yen admits to only taking his acting serious since last year with AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS.

While Jet Li has decided to focus more on his charity work outside of the industry, Jackie Chan has struggled for years to re-brand himself as a dramatic actor, most recently by starring in SHINJUKU INCIDENT. yen appears more pragmatic about his situation.

“I don’t think you’re going to see me in a film without action because I don’t think investors are going to put their money in such a film,” said Yen. “That’s not what the audience wants to see me in.”

The potential for Yen to excel in action directing appears more promising. In coming years, China is gradually going to lose top action directing talents such as Sammo Hung, Ching Siu-tung, Yuen Woo-ping and Corey Yuen as they retire. While there are younger understudies or protégés in the industry, none of them have Yen’s name recognition or experience in front of the camera. Yen has amassed experience in action directing over the years, some of his most recent work being in SPL and FLASH POINT. He has a unique style and an insatiable drive to evolve and challenge himself, not unlike his original mentor Yuen Woo-ping.

As genre fans, we all have to face the same sorry reality that our favorite action stars do, their bodies gradually break down and they can’t perform on the same level. Jackie Chan’s last great physical performance was in 1994 in DRUNKEN MASTER 2, 15 years ago which blows my mind when I think about it. But as we have learned with Sammo Hung, Philip Kwok and other former martial arts stars who have remained active in the industry, that doesn’t mean they don’t have something to contribute.

Seeing Donnie Yen muse about the end is still bittersweet. I was just beginning to get used to the idea of seeing him as the reigning Chinese action star. On top of that, he has yet to break into the international market the way that his predecessors have. My hope is that within the next four years, Yen will have one crossover hit that gives him the worldwide recognition that he’s already getting in China.

In 1995, Hong Kong action star and filmmaker Donnie Yen played Chen Zhen, the role made famous by Bruce Lee, in a television series version of Lee’s classic martial arts film FIST OF FURY (1971). Wu-Jing.org has reported that Yen will return to the role in a proposed “sequel” of sorts to be helmed by Andrew Lau, best known for his work behind the cameras on the original STORM RIDERS (1998) and the INFERNAL AFFAIRS trilogy. FIST OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF CHEN ZHEN will be set seven years after the apparent death of Chen Zhen, who was shot after discovering who was reponsible for his teacher’s death in Japanese-occupied Shanghai. A mysterious stranger arrives from overseas and befriends a local mafia boss.

That man is a disguised Chen Zhen, who intends to infiltrate the mob when they form an alliance with the Japanese. Disguising himself as a caped fighter by night, Chen intends to take out everyone involved as well as get his hands on an assassination list prepared by the Japanese. Reported to be co-starring in the film are Taiwanese-born international actress Shu Qi and veteran Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong. Gordon Chan, who helmed FIST OF LEGEND (1994), the film where Jet Li played Chen, is producing with Lau and co-wrote the script. Yen will also serve as the film’s action choreographer. Filming should begin very soon as Yen is currently at work on IP MAN 2. FIST OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF CHEN ZHEN is scheduled for a 2010 release from Media Asia Films.

FUCK YEAH. That is a crazy-ass concept. Like, what would happen if Darth Vader was still alive or Scarface was just wearing a bullet proof vest.

Donnie Yen will star in Andrew Lau’s upcoming 2010 martial arts pic Fist of Fury: The Legend of Chen Zhen. The film tells the story of the fictional character made famous by Bruce Lee in the 1972 movie Fist of Fury. Shu Qi and Anthony Wong co-star.

HONG KONG (AP) — Action star Donnie Yen says he signed on to play an ancient Chinese secret service agent in his new film — even though it was another kung fu epic — because he wanted to tackle the role of a villain who discovers his humanity. Historical or martial arts blockbusters have dominated the booming mainland Chinese film market in recent years — and Yen is one of the genre's biggest stars. The mainland-born, Hong Kong and Boston-raised actor most recently starred in the hit biopic of Bruce Lee's teacher, "Ip Man." Other recent action credits include "Hero," ''Seven Swords," ''Flash Point," ''Dragon Tiger Gate" and "An Empress and the Warriors." Promoting his new movie "14 Blades" in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Yen told reporters while he's always looking to broaden his repertoire, he agreed to another action flick because he could explore a villain's transformation.

Hong Kong director Daniel Lee's kung fu thriller revolves around the Chinese emperor's secret service in the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) — the "Jin Yi Wei" — which Yen described as orphans who were trained into ruthless killers used to pursue the emperor's personal vendettas. Yen plays Qing Long, a secret service agent who's betrayed and hunted by his colleagues. He falls in love while on the run, discovering his compassion after years of senseless killing. "14 Blades" describes how the relationship transformed "a killing machine to a real human being," Yen said.

"This is very different from the other ancient Chinese epics I've starred in," he said. Yen, a veteran action star who once trained with Jet Li's teacher in Beijing, joked that his co-star, newcomer Kate Tsui, was a clumsy fighter — but added that actual kung fu prowess doesn't matter as much as capturing a fighter's spirit. "Whether you know kung fu isn't the most important thing. The most important thing is whether you can project the aura of an ancient fighter," he said. "14 Blades" is scheduled to be released on Feb. 11.

Totally man, ever since Jet Li "retired" or went Hollywood - he's been getting all his roles.

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Donnie Yen teases Kate Tsui that she's the "best person to hit"

Directed by Daniel Lee, Vicki Zhao, Donnie Yen, Kate Tsui and Wu Chun will be in a new film "錦衣衛" which will be release this Lunar New Year. Yesterday the film held its press conference, due to illness Vicki was unable to come to Hong Kong to attend the conference. Kate was dressed in a sexy low-cut back revealing dress, under Reporters request, she posed for pictures. At this time, Wu Chun came to join her and posed with her for pictures. It was a funny scene. It was rumored that Wu Chun will leave the boyband Fahrenheit? Wu Chun said no three times, he said that there is still a contract on hand, next year Fahrenheit will be releasing an album.

Donnie teased Kate and said that she's the "best person to get hit" in the universe, he said: "The best one to hit is not me, she was doing a fighting scene with me, she was only 3-inches away from me and still couldn't get me. Every time it was me going easy on her." Speaking of Kate has a few scenes of seducing, Donnie laughed: "At the time I was not at the scene, if I was there I would escape. But I'm afraid that would affect Kate's self-esteem." Donnie also praised Wu Chun's performance in the film. Although he never done martial arts films before, but he has a background in dancing, so her performed those scenes with ease. He said: "Wu Chun is quite hard working, he would be constantly practicing before shooting. If he doesn't understand something he'll just ask."

Chen Zhen aka Bruce Lee Character behind the scenes, and showing off his Pianist skills:

Quote from: MonkeyPeaches.com

The name of Chen Zhen is attached to Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury and Jet Li in Fist of Legend. The latest Donnie Yen' version of Chen Zhen has a brand new story. The official plot description has yet to be released, but we do know some fact that the story is set in Shanghai during the Japanese occupation (1937 - 1945). Chen Zhen is a patriotic figure or a resistant fighter, who is protecting Shanghai from total destruction, or something like that.

For the first time ever, Donnie Yen gets a chance to prove he is also good at playing piano. Shu Qi plays a singer, working at Paramount Ballroom, the top gathering place for the high class of Shanghai in the 1930s and 1940s. Anthony Wong plays the owner of Paramount Ballroom, who offers Chen Zhen protection. Mainland Chinese actor Huang Bo plays a detective.

Principal shooting has last for a month in Shanghai. Theatrical release in China, including Hong Kong, is aimed at October 2010.

The action thriller is directed by Andrew Lau with a screenplay written by Gordon Chan and Cheung Chi-Sing.

With "Ip Man", Donnie succeeded to hand out last year's most stunning results in the Movie circle, earning 66Millions (HKD, currency used in this article) becoming the best earner of the year. For the females, it's Barbie Xu (DaS) who had switched battle to the Movies only for the recent years,with her talent fees getting to 2 Millions per film, she earned 8 Millions last year, even surpassing the movie queens like Zhou Xun and Li Bing Bing !

In 2009, the HK produced movies were very popular in Mainland, hence making those stars value and fees almost doubling. Among all the stars of the island, Donnie "fought out " a great future and showing his impressive earning skills, his talent fees raised from 12 Millions to 16 Millions (per movie).

Last year, he acted in 4 different movies including "14 blades" and earned a total of 66 Millions !

And the other earning King, Louis Koo acted in "Forbidden City cop 009" with DaS, which had been a big hit in mainland, he succeeded to raise his fees from 4 Millions to 8 Millions.

Last Year, Louis starred in 5 movies, and earned about 40 Millions already only based in movies.

And Nick Cheung Ka Fai, who had the honour to be crowned 6 times Movie King, his fees skipped from 1 Million to 2.5 Millions, his incomes getting more and more lucrative. About being 2009's best earner, Donnie says : "While an actor performs, he only thinks about doing his best, I only wish to encounter a good script and a good director." he also revealed that his schedule for this year is already full, he'll do his best to earn the most money.

For the female stars, HK's Charlene Choi (Ah Sa) thrived was all by herself, she, whose acting fees reaches up to 2.5 Millions, filmed 4 Movies last year, but with one in which she was only guest starring, a conservative estimate of her incomes is 6 Millions. But Ah Sa humbly says that she's not a high earner, and said smiling "I only use a few tricks to stay in this world(闖江湖), in 2009, I was just lucky enough to have filmed a few movies which incidently had good box office "

Finally, DaS who only started to fight in the Movies world for those past years, handed out impressive results, earning 8 Millions, defeating movie queens such as Zhou Xun and Li bing Bing. And Zhou Xun whose acting fees are 2 Millions only participated in 3 movies last year, one less than DaS, that was the reason her earning didn't win to DaS'. Li bing Bing who won the Movie Queen title from Zhou Xun, earned only 2.8 Millions last year. Source: udn.comTranslated by: little bee @ AsianFanatics